I do not own Harry Potter, only the OC

Hello guys, Badger here. I'm sure you all know that by now, but I enjoy saying it. I hope you are well, and I hope you enjoyed the previous chapter. If you didn't then...that's fair, I can't please everyone. Anyway. Like last time, there was a small delay with this chapter. Not because of laptop issues, but because I have three things going on at once. Trying to find Apprenticeships should I not get into University, Working on a large project for my Youtube Channel and writing up chapters for this Fanfiction. As you can imagine, trying to balance all three at once isn't easy.

Still, it's here now and that's all that matters. I'm sure you are all dying to know what happens in this chapter so I won't keep you waiting any longer. Read on, enjoy and I will see you at the end.

Chapter 72

Ready And Waiting

Christmas was a rather peaceful and enjoyable time, for both James and Harry. They got to spend time with Sirius, Remus and even Luna, Daphne, Neville and Susan, as Sirius had planned a lovely day out in Muggle London, believing it will be safer then the Magical World at the moment. They exchanged presents, went ice skating and Sirius laughed at his godsons red face, when Susan dragged him to the mistletoe. Despite how much fun they had, none of them let their guard down, like many were doing. Due to the fact that there hadn't been any attacks or Death Eater activity, since Umbridge was murdered, many were beginning to relax, speculating the Dark Lord was hiding away somewhere. The Trio, and their friends, however, were more agitated by the day. Something didn't feel right. Even Remus said he was confused on why there wasn't another attack and, from what James and Harry could pinpoint from the Order meetings that happened during the holidays, there had been no activity whatsoever and not even Snape had anything to comment on. Harry, almost preferred it when Voldemort was trying to kill him, instead of all this peace and quiet.

James was currently looking out the compartment window. Whilst his eyes were watching the scenery that passed by, his mind was elsewhere. He had asked Sirius about the book he found, inquiring about the missing pages. Sirius knew nothing of it. According to former Marauder, the book was old and he hadn't read it at all, as it spent most of its time on one of the higher shelves. However, his younger brother, Regulus often read the book, as it was a personal favourite of his; before and after he joined Voldemort's cause and became a Death Eater and was supposedly killed sometime after. This only made James worry more. Those ripped pages could have been anything and now they may never know what they could have been. Even Sirius was a little concerned. The train shook, as it went round a bend, where James' focus went to the compartment door, as someone opened it. It was Ron.

"Hey…um…is it okay if I sit here?" He asked "Things are getting too…rowdy back in my compartment"

James looked to the others in the compartment. Luna was currently using his shoulder as a pillow, as she and her father were up most of the night, looking for Nargles. Harry and Susan had been chatting amongst themselves, before Ron opened the door and they gave their approval. As for Daphne, she was stuck in a book. At first, James thought she wasn't paying attention, but she gave a slight nod, feeling his gaze, meaning she was fine with it too.

"Well, no one seems to mind" James said "Come on in"

Ron smiled and carefully put his trunk in the overhead storage, being careful to not disturb Luna, as he sat down.

"How's your father?" Harry asked, after a moment

"He's well" Ron nodded "He has gotten a little paranoid though, he's a bit more jumpy then usual so often spends most of his free time in his shed, where he experiments with Muggle items…what he is doing with them, I don't really know…mums not so much better…she's worse than he is at the moment, ever since the attack…she's expecting You-Know-Who to appear at any moment and start attacking everyone"

"So she should" Susan replied "Most people have started to let their guard down, since there hasn't been another attack in a while, but the Ministry aren't fooled…according to auntie, the Aurors and trainees have been going through harder and tougher training recently…and that was before several workers were discovered to be Death Eaters"

"I'm sorry what?" Daphne asked, looking up from her book for the first time since she started reading it

"Yeah, Auntie told me that four Ministry workers had fled, since Umbridge was killed" Susan said "After some investigating, they found that they were Death Eaters"

"Why would they run?" Harry asked

"Probably because they're afraid of Voldemort sending someone to kill them too" James mused "He is the man who, most likely, killed more of his own men during the previous war then the whole light side combined…no doubt they thought he will do it again…unless my uncle gets to them first"

"Oh yeah" Ron muttered, looking a bit ashamed "Sorry about that…why did he try to kill you anyway?"

"Due to our families dark nature, he believes our family should embrace it and follow the darker path…me and my parents disagreed" James sighed "No doubt he has become Voldemort's new favourite"

"You don't think he will actually kill you, do you?" Daphne asked

"No, because I will kill him first" James declared, confidently

Everyone else, besides Harry, looked surprised at his determined and cold look. All of them sat there for a few moments, in an awkward silence, before Susan moved the conversation onto a more happier tone.

Dumbledore paced in his office, as he waited for the train to arrive to start the new half term, with Christmas now over. He may be wrong, but he was almost certain he had a lead on another Horcrux. After much searching, reading and looking through some memories he had secured safely, hidden in his office, he was sure he knew what one of Voldemort's Horcruxes were…and where it was located. There was just one small problem. A Horcrux could not be destroyed with just a simple cutting curse or blasting hex. The only known way to destroy them, from what he had read, was with Basilisk Venom. He only knew of two places to find Basilisk Venom. From shady places like Knockturn Alley, where he was almost certain the people at the counter were working for Voldemort and the Chamber of Secrets. There were problems on both sides. The first, was that he wasn't going to walk through a place like Knockturn Alley to get some, he'd probably be killed on sight. The second, is that the Chamber of Secrets has resealed itself and, somehow, not even Fawkes could get in. He will need a Parselmouth to get in and if he asked for Harry's assistance, the boy would ask questions and he wasn't ready to know yet. Also, whilst he could get someone else to buy Basilisk venom, they will also ask questions. Questions best left unanswered. The fewer people who knows of Horcruxes, the better.

As he thought, he remembered the fight with the Basilisk. Harry used the Sword of Gryffindor to kill the Basilisk. It was possible that venom could have soaked the blade. He could only hope and try. Now all he needed to do, was find the Horcrux and try and recover it. Knowing Voldemort, it was going to be well guarded. Dumbledore could only hope it wasn't going to be the death of him.

Harry shifted a little bit, nervously, as every student from fourth to seventh year gathered around him and James, whilst Professor Flitwick taught the younger years for the day. It had been a few days when they had arrived back to Hogwarts and Flitwick thought now would be a good time to teach the other students the Patronus Charm. Usually, Harry was calm and collected when teaching other students, but today, for one reason or another, he felt a little uneasy.

"Okay, you are probably wondering why Flitwick has us teaching you all today" He said, after a moment "Well, Flitwick thought it would be a great idea for us to teach you the Patronus Charm"

There were murmurs and whispers of excitement across the crowd of students. Hermione, on the other hand, had a question on her mind.

"Can you two really do the Patronus Charm?" She asked, a little sceptically

"Oh, it seems Miss Granger would like a short demonstration Harry" James spoke up, removing his wand, looking at Hermione, his gaze hard and unmoving

"I believe you are right James" Harry nodded, removing his own wand

In unison, the two said the incantation and a second later, the silver stag and fox could be seen running around the Great Hall. Everyone watched in delight, even Flitwick and the younger years looked in awe at the spectacle. James couldn't help but smile, smugly at the look on Hermione's face.

"Okay, so, you all need to understand, this is one of the most complicated spells to cast" Harry explained, as neither he or James made a move to drop the spell, content with their Patronus's flying about the room "The spells incantation is Expecto Patronum and it requires you to think, and to use, the memory that fills you with joy and happiness…it can be anything, a birthday, a walk on the beach, or even just a day out shopping, it can be anything…think about the memory and let it fill you with joy before doing the spell…but don't be demotivated if nothing happens, most people don't manage any results the first few times, just try again and use a different memory, sometimes different memories can make the spell stronger or weaker…me and James will be wandering around and helping anyone if they need it…we aren't expecting everyone to be able to cast the Patronus today, though I believe a few will…now, get to it"

As the students began practicing, Harry and James started patrolling through the crowd, James' fox was running alongside him, whilst Harry's stag watch over the students from afar. A few people seemed to be making good progress, in Harry's opinion, as they were able to create a small ball of light, or some mist for a few moments before it fell. Harry saw one of the students getting frustrated, so he made his way over and placed a hand on their shoulder, gently.

"It's okay, try again an try a different memory, you'll get it in time" Harry said, before he called out to the rest of the students "Remember guys, don't be frustrated if nothing happens, this spells is one of the hardest to learn…even adults struggle with this one"

Neither Harry or James were sure how long they were in the Great Hall for, before some students managed to cast a Patronus. Two of which being Susan and Luna and the other two being from sixth and seventh year. Susan couldn't help but giggle, as her mist took the shape of a badger which began running around her, before running around the Great Hall. Luna soon followed, her mist taking shape for a few moments, before a hare appeared in front of her. It nuzzled her nose gently, before it scurried away to James' fox Patronus. The two circled around each other happily, before the two animals snuggled against one another, which made Luna giggle and James blush, slightly. Harry also laughed at the small spectacle he had seen. Even the two other students looked happy as their Patronus's danced about the place. Today had been a good day. Even though, only a few people were able to cast the Patronus, he was still glad someone did. Hopefully in time, everyone will know how to cast a Patronus. One step at a time.

Voldemort smiled, darkly, as Nagini coiled around him gently. He looked at Lucius, nervously bowing, in front of him, before he pushed himself off of his throne and took a few steps forward.

"Lucius, are our friends ready?" He asked

"Yes my lord…" Lucius replied "They are ready and waiting"

"Good, well go…" Voldemort said "Go and wait…stay hidden away until Potter arrives…not long now…soon Potter will find out the truth, before I end his miserable life…you better not fail me Lucius!"

The new chapter is done!

What did you think? I will admit, there was supposed to be a chapter before this one, set during the Christmas holidays, however I couldn't come up with filler that would be interesting, so I skipped to when they head back to Hogwarts. I hope you don't mind.

The main plot of this chapter was Harry and James teaching the Patronus charm, along with the small moment with Voldemort at the end. What did you think of this moments? I thought they were nice. The moment with James' and Luna's Patronus's were cute and sweet in my opinion. I know it may seem lazy giving Susan a badger Patronus, because she is a Hufflepuff, but I didn't know what animal would match her. Besides, I searched the meanings behind their Patronus animals and here is what I found.

Badger: The badger patronus represents ambition and determination. They are more down to earth and fiercely defend those close to them. With the badger patronus, you are in safe hands.

Hare: Those with the hare patronus are quick witted and very intelligent. Witches and wizards with this patronus adapt well to most situations and understand that difficulties in life makes them stronger.

Do you agree or disagree with these choices? Let me know. Anyway, I'm afraid there is no QUESTION OF THE CHAPTER today. I've already rambled on for long enough, so I'll end it here. I hope you enjoyed and I will see you next time.

Badger out.